Hunter remained close to my side as we left the compound. Slade had the computer and files, which were placed in the car, and then we watched as the dragons lit the place up like it was the world’s largest crematorium. Whatever was left inside would be destroyed, and the souls of Fletcher’s victims would finally get to rest in the eternal lands.
Constantine moved closer to me wearing a concerned expression. “Are you okay?” he asked, and I was reminded that they all saw me hurl up my guts. Only that wasn’t really what had him worried. “Slade told me that they found files on you and Morgan.”
“We learned that the reason I’m even standing here today,” I said, watching the flames dance high into the sky, “is because you saved me.” I turned to give him my focus. “Thank you. Fletcher couldn’t find me due to your magic holding his money and best witches at bay.”
He shook his head. “Emme, I would do anything to keep you safe. You’re my child.”
Constantine spoke with such sincerity that I found the need to offer him the same in return. “And you’re my father. I claim our bond.”
A smile ripped across his face, so bright he was basically beaming. “I’ve waited a long time to hear you say that. I’m so sorry I wasn’t in your life before now.”
“But youarehere now,” Hunter said, his presence comforting at my side. “And when we destroy Jewels, we’ll all have many uneventful years to move on from our fucked up pasts. You won’t have to fear the wrath of the shifter cities any longer. We’ll protect you and Emme, even though I doubt anyone will find out about your hybrid natures unless you tell them. Your beasts hide the magic, and once we wipe out witches, there’ll be no one left to sense it.”
Constantine’s smile somehow got even brighter. “I’d really like a chance at that future.”
We just had to figure out how to track Jewels, since all we’d found at this compound were new horrors to add to our nightmares.
“There’s something poetic about watching the twin soul dragons,whom Fletcher tore apart, destroy the last of his depravity together,” Kellan said, the flames lighting up his features.
“I’ve never experienced anything like that bunker,” Finley bit out with a shudder, his eyes darkening as his bear pushed closer to the surface. “It surpasses finding my dad and brother, and let me tell you, that shit has been centerstage in my darkest memories for years.”
As much as it hurt to hear his trauma, I loved that he chose to openly share with us. “As a pack, we will keep those memories away,” I said, hoping that was the truth.
Hunter felt stable in our bond now, so I crossed to Kellan and Finley, taking both their hands. It was the first contact we’d had since exiting the building, and all of us relaxed a little more. Their holds on me were tight, all of us adrift and struggling with what we’d seen. In our quintet energy, our beasts remained close enough that they were basically pack huddling.
By the time the dragons were done, there was nothing more than ash left here. It was time for us to return to Golden Claw. Return, regroup and replan.
Hunter met me beside our bikes. “Are you sure you’re up to riding?” he asked, his gaze taking me in as if assessing my health and wellbeing.
“I’m more than up for it,” I confirmed. “I need it.”
Hunter cupped his hand around the back of my neck, his claiming tattoo right there for the world to see. “Okay, baby girl,” he murmured as he leaned down and pressed his lips to my forehead.Gah,forehead kisses.
Such a simple, quick kiss, which left me desperate to get home and be naked with my alphas.
Our beasts had already shown us the way to heal from the trauma and strengthen our bond, and I would absolutely be taking their very solid advice.
One naked pack huddle coming right up.
CHAPTER 30
FINLEY
It took days and some intense therapy sessions to deal with what we’d found in Fletcher’s research facility. Helped along by how busy we were with no real time to dwell.
Slade was researching, Talon had fight training, Kellan and I were in the midst of hockey season, and Hunter left the city to tear apart his old childhood home in the hopes of finding something we could use to track Jewels. All the while, Emme kept us from fracturing, her soothing presence what we came home to every single day.
After today’s early therapy appointment, I spent a few hours in the garage, my hands buried under the hood of my Ford, letting the calming and familiar motions of fixing an engine add to my healing. Emme had been here earlier, and we’d made great progress on her vehicle before she had to leave for magical training with Constantine.
The more she warmed up to her father, the more I let go of my concerns. The witch-wolf had kept my mate safe, and for that I owed him. He’d just better never hurt her again, or he’d soon be joining Emme’s mom.
There was a clang behind me as one of the contractors fixing the garage wall dropped metal. It was taking longer than expected tofill inthe dragon-shaped cutout, but they were scheduled to finish in the next couple of days, which would take some strain off Slade.
The dragon had been all but sequestered in his room going through the files, but he was distracted by strangers in proximity to our mate. As we all were. It split his focus, and fractured his temper,until the only one who could be around him and not fear for their life was Emme.
He’d swoop in like an overgrown bat, steal our girl away forwhateverhe got up to with her, and then come back almost tolerable. All I knew was that when our omega was with the dragons, her mind and essence calmed to the point I was sure she handed all of her freewill over to them.
We all had our kinks, and Slade’s was control. Thankfully, Emme appeared well-equipped to not only handle us, but also enjoy our particular quirks.Thank you, goddess.
